Thoughts and Reflections

Romans 7:15

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

I’m so confused! Ever felt like this – confused? I believe most of us have been confused before. I was confused a few weeks ago – when my second NFL team – the Redskins – were winning throughout the game – seemingly had the game in hand – only the lose it in the 4th quarter. This type of confusion returned when I saw my favorite college basketball team blow a 20 point early lead to need a miracle ending to regulation and then some great plays in overtime to win a recent game. Things just don’t as planned – sometimes.

I’m so confused! I am at a loss and very confused by the current political scene. The left and the right – the extremes of both views – seem to be out of control. I definitely lean right my self – but not as far right as some in today’s political world. It seems that neither party wants to think of what is best for America – or even discuss where their views of what is best for America might differ or agree. Continue reading →

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Life keeps changing! The only constant in life is change. A number of things in my own life have changed. I’ve been married longer than I wasn’t married (37 years this past summer verses 25 years not married). I celebrated 44 years since I graduated High School this past June. I saw a picture of me in High School the other day and I do not look the same today!

My children – my babies – are all grown. Two have children (my five granddaughters). My wife and daughters are such a blessing to me along with our granddaughters. I’ve been in ministry for 41 years. I’ve begun to think about retirement (although I hope to have a few more years left – maybe more!).

Life keeps changing! This summer the Nationals have played playoff bound baseball – the Orioles are trying to get in but it doesn’t seem to be a certainty for sure. The Redskins lost their season opening game while the Ravens won – shutting out the Bengals. The Wizards made the playoffs and so did the Capitals. That’s pretty good change for our area and Maryland is 2-0 after two convincing wins.

Colossians 3:12

Dear readers – did you have any favorite clothes growing up? I apparently – according to old photos – had a favorite cowboy shirt and a red baseball hat. In my of my childhood pictures from a certain age – that was what I had on. I still have favorite clothes – enjoying the more casual look over anything dressy. When I was a teen I had a favorite hat that was always on my head it seems. I remember when I finally had to give it up – it was old – torn and smelled from years of sweating in it. I remember buying it with my own money at Ocean City one year. I know my girlfriends probably didn’t like it much – but it was a favorite!

As a pastor – I know there are proper times to wear certain clothes. For instance – I have a funeral this afternoon (this was written on Wednesday) and I have my collar and dress jacket to put on before I go. I will return to the office for meetings this evening and will put on my church shirt – a polo shirt with my name and the church’s name on it. I hardly ever wear a tie anymore – using the clergy collar shirt when I need to dress up. Continue reading →

Luke 12:34

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

One of my nephews just purchased several large crates full of baseball cards. I found him the other evening going through them – sorting out teams – Hall of Fame players – and some others groupings. He was in his glory – a sports fan with sports memorabilia. As I was leaving I asked him to find some duplicates of some nice players and sell them to his uncle. For those who have been in my office at church – you know I have a display of Hall of Fame players on my wall. I love baseball – the American pastime.

Another thing I enjoy is collecting hats – baseball style hats. I have several from the Orioles – the Ravens – the University of Maryland – the Redskins – the FBI – golf hats of many brands like Titleist – Callaway – SR (the golf club at South River) – Twin Shields – and more. I have one with a cross on it and others as well. My home office door has three straps with hooks for hats on it. My closet in the bedroom has about a dozen hats that I wear the most. One shelf at work is decorated with hats (stop by them and see). I gave several dozen away to Goodwill recently because I couldn’t wear them all or keep them all (said the boss). Continue reading →

Psalm 20:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Where do we place our trust? Planning ahead is something some do and some do not. I’m a planner myself. As I age – I’m starting to get more and more info on retirement (and senior discounts – sweet). I was talking to someone the other day about retirement and they said they hadn’t thought much about it yet (and they were older too). I have been planning for retirement (even though I hope it is 3-10 years off) since I was 25 and first married. I wouldn’t say I put my trust in my retirement plan – but I have one. I am a planner.

Where do we place our trust? In the NFL – my favorite team (the Baltimore Ravens) – has a general manager named Ozzie Newsome. General managers are very important to NFL teams. General managers draft players – sign players – and work out contracts for players. They have others who work with them – but the saying around Baltimore is – in Ozzie we trust. Ozzie is a planner. Even when we as fans do not see the merit in a trade or a signing – someone will post in Ozzie we trust. The same can be said about the Baltimore Orioles – I often see in Buck we trust – when he makes a managerial move that we may not understand. Both Buck and Ozzie are planners too. Continue reading →